Illuminated automobile ash tray



June 27, 1944. PALMER 2,352,493

' ILLUMINATED AUTOMOBILE ASHTRAY Filed June 17, 1945 a,7 /6- gp/iza 7 /6 Patented June 27, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nmmma'rnn AUTOMOBILE ASH may James D. Palmer, Monmouth, n1.

Application June 17, 1943, Serial No. 481,173

4 Claims.

.This invention relates to an ashtray for automobiles of the.type usually installed on the instrument panel, and it particularly aims to provide a means whereby the ashtray may be illuminated as desired, especially at night, in order to avoid the burning of holes in the upholstery of the automobile, marring of the finish of parts of the automobile, burning of the clothing or the like incidental to smoking.

I further aim to provide 8 construction wherein the illumination is under control of any light switch of the automobile.

Further, it is aimed to provide a structure wherein the bulb or envelope means of the light or lamp will function dually as the illuminating means and as the guide or mounting for the tray.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure l is a plan view showing the invention in electrical diagram and in connection with fragments of an automobile shown in section;

Figure 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail section taken on the line 8-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the lamp or bulb detached.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, an instrument panel of an automobile has been shown by way of example at In, having an opening ll therethrough into and out of which an ashtray i2 is adapted for slidable movement, such ashtray being extremely light in weight and having its front wall at l3 forming a closure for the opening II when it is in closed position.-

In carrying out my invention 1 utilize an electric lamp bulb H which may be of generally U- shape as shown, having parallel arms l5. This lamp for instance may be of the neon or other gas-filled type although it may be an ordinary incandescent lamp of suitable capacity if prefeizred. At the ends of the bulb l5 the'usual terminals ii are provided.

The lamp or bulb I4 is mounted horizontally a plane adjacent the top of the opening II, with the bridge portion ll of the lamp disposed approximately in such opening ll. Said terminals II are removably engaged in and insulated from dashboard or other part of the automobile behind the panel III. In the rear of the brackets it one or more nuts II are provided on each terminal to connect conductors 2| to the terminals.

It will benoted that at the two sides and front the walls of the receptacle l2, at the tops, are curled or semi-circular as at It to provide channels, whereby such tray I2 is slidably mounted on the bulb, particularly the parallel a'rms ii, to enable the same to be pulled in and out of the opening II for use. A finger grip 22 is preferably provided on the front wall of the tray.

Said bulb It may be included in any lighting circuit on the automobile, for instance the circuit for the headlights, the circuit for the dimmer, or

' otherwise. As shown, one representative light is brackets or supports "suitably secured to the indicated at 13 in an electric circuit 24 including the battery 25 and a switch 20. This circuit may be grounded to the frame of the automobile, as at the dashboard Ill, and the conductors 20 may lead from the circuit 24.

As a result of the construction described the lamp l4 functions dually as a lighting medium for the tray and surrounding parts, and in addition will serve as the support or mounting means for such tray. The bulb It may be included in the lighting system universal or particular to any car, so that it will be illuminated each time the light switch operates, or whenever the light switch, is in on" position, whether it is switching on headlights, parking lights, dimmers, or otherwise.

Various changes may be resorted to provided that they fall within the spirt and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with an instrument panel, said panel having'an opening, an ashtray movable in said opening, and elongated electric lamp bulb means functioning dually to motmt directly and slidably and illuminate said ashtray and means on the ashtray engaging the first-mentioned means.

2. In combination with an instrument panel, said panel having an opening, an ashtray movable in said opening, and means operable dually to mount slidably and illuminate said ashtray, consisting of an elongated electric lamp bulb, said tray having channel means directly and slidably engaging the bulb.

3. In combination with an instrument panel,

said panel having an opening, an ashtray mov- I able in said opening, and means operable dually to mount slidably and illuminate said ashtray} consiltln: of an elongated electric lamp bulb, laid tray having channel means directly and slidably enzasing the bulb, at parallel portions on opposite sides of the tray.

4. In combination with an instrument. panel, said panel having an opening, an ashtray movable in said opening, and means operable dually to mount slidsbly -and illuminate said ashtray. consisting of an elongated electric lamp bulb, said tray having channel means directly and slidably engaging the bulb, at parallel portions on opposite sides of the tray, and across the front 0! the tray.

JAMES D. PALMER. 

